Machine housing

ABSTRACT

In a machine housing of the prior art, the bearing plate must be secured to the tubular element by means of one additional assembly step. In a machine housing of the invention, the bearing plate is secured in the tubular element by pressure, and simultaneously an axial play of a shaft in the machine housing can be adjusted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention is directed to an improved housing for a machinesuch as an electric motor or generator.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] From U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,357, a machine housing is known in whicha fastening element is embodied integrally with a bearing plate andsecures the bearing to the bearing plate. However, the individualhousing parts of the machine housing, including among others the bearingplate, are joined together by means of a screw.

[0005] From U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,039, it is known to secure a bearingplate with a bearing in a tubular element in such a way that the axialplay of a shaft is adjusted in a targeted way. The fastening of thebearing plate to the tubular element is accomplished by a separate workstep, such as ultrasonic welding, after the installation. Moreover, thebearing is retained in the bearing plate by means of an additionalfastening spring.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The machine housing of the invention has the advantage over theprior art that a bearing plate is secured to a tubular element in asimple way.

[0007] It is advantageous to manufacture the bearing plate of springsteel, because this strengthens the fastening by means of pressure inthe tubular element.

[0008] It is advantageous for a fastening element that secures a bearingto the bearing plate to be embodied integrally with the bearing plate,because additional fastening means are then omitted.

[0009] If the bearing plate has a sharp stamped edge on its outercircumference, then good fastening between the bearing plate and thetubular element is possible.

[0010] It is also advantageous if the bearing plate has recesses on itsedge, that is, notches, because the stiffness of the bearing plate canadvantageously be varied as a result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will be better understood and further objects andadvantages thereof will become more apparent from the ensuing detaileddescription of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1a shows a first bearing plate, FIG. 1b a second bearingplate, and FIG. 1c a third bearing plate for a machine housing of theinvention; and

[0013]FIGS. 2a, 2 b, and 2 c show assembly steps for a machine housingof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014]FIG. 1a shows a first bearing plate 3 for a machine housing 1(FIG. 2) of the invention. The bearing plate 3 has a caplike shape, forinstance, and a bulge 6, which for instance is cup-shaped, is embodiedcentrally on the bearing plate 3, and a bearing 15 (FIG. 2) is disposedin this bulge.

[0015] The bearing plate 3 is produced from spring steel, for instance,and is similar to a securing loop, and the thickness of the bearingplate 3 depends on its use. The bearing plate 3 has an outercircumferential line 9, which for instance is embodied as sharp-edged,of the kind that occurs for instance in the stamping process forproducing the bearing plate 3.

[0016] Fastening elements 12, for instance three in number, are presentin the bulge 6 and are for instance embodied integrally with the bearingplate 3 in order to hold the bearing 15 on the bearing plate 3 in thebulge 6. However, an additional securing ring can also be used forfastening the bearing 15.

[0017] The fastening element 12 is embodied for instance as a spring tabthat is cut out of the wall of the bulge 6 and protrudes into the bulge6.

[0018]FIG. 1b shows a second bearing plate 3. If the bearing plate 3 ismeant to seal off a tubular element 18 (FIG. 2) in waterproof fashion,then the fastening element 12 embodied integrally with the bearing plate3 is for instance produced by pressing in on an outer face 7 of thebulge 6. The fastening element 12 thus created provides a protrusionthat protrudes into the bulge 6 and can then hold the bearing 5 in thebulge 6.

[0019]FIG. 1c shows a third bearing plate 3. In comparison to FIG. 1a,the bearing plate 3 on its circumferential line 9 has at least onerecess 21, embodied for instance as a notch, as a result of which themechanical stiffness of the bearing plate 3 can be varied in a targetedway so that the requisite force for the pressing together of the bearingplate 3 and tubular element 18 can be adjusted.

[0020]FIG. 2a shows a machine housing 1 of the invention beforeassembly. The machine housing 1 is used for instance for an electricalmachine, such an electric motor or an electric generator or an electricadjusting mechanism.

[0021] In the bearing plate 3, the bearing 15 is secured prior tomounting to the tubular element 18 of the machine housing 1. Thefastening elements 12 grip the bearing 15 around an outer face and thusretain the bearing 15 in the bulge 6.

[0022] Magnets 24 are disposed in the tubular element 18. For instance,the tubular element 18 forms a magnetic short-circuit element for anelectrical machine. The bearing plate 3 is secured on one axial end 39of the tubular element 18 by being thrust into the interior of thetubular element. Secured on the other end is a gear unit 27, forinstance, with a further bearing, a gear, and additionally an electronicdevice, for instance.

[0023]FIG. 2b shows a machine housing 1 of the invention in a nearlycompletely assembled state. In the tubular element 18, an armature 30,for instance, is also disposed, having a lamination packet or magnetsand a shaft 33. The shaft 33 is supported in the bearing 15. The bearing15 is a ball bearing or a spherical-cap bearing.

[0024] The gear unit 27 is secured to the tubular element 18 in afurther assembly step. The shaft 33, after assembly of the gear unit 27or of some other component that closes off the tubular element 18 on theother axial end, can still have an axial play, which is to be adjustedin a controlled way.

[0025] This is accomplished by inserting the bearing plate 3 into thetubular element 18 so far in an axial direction 36 that the desiredaxial play of the shaft 33 is established.

[0026] The shape and the material of the bearing plate 3 assure a firmseat, after it has been press-fitted into place, by means of a positiveand/or nonpositive engagement as a consequence of elastic and plasticdeformation of the bearing plate 3 and of the inner wall of the tubularelement 18. If the bearing plate 3 furthermore has a circumferentialline with a sharp edge, then this circumferential line 9 digs firmlyinto the tubular element 18 in the desired way.

[0027] The foregoing relates to preferred exemplary embodiments of theinvention, it being understood that other variants and embodimentsthereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, thelatter being defined by the appended claims.

We claim
 1. A machine housing, in particular for an electrical machine,comprising a bearing plate having a sharp edge on its outer periphery abearing that is disposed in the bearing plate, a tubular element, thebearing plate being secured to the tubular element and cooperatingtherewith to form a machine housing, and a shaft that is disposed in themachine housing, the bearing plate being secured in the tubular elementin such a way that an axial play of the shaft in the machine housingmaybe adjusted in a controlled fashion, the bearing plate (3) beingsecured in the tubular element (18) by pressure and positive engagementin which the sharp edge digs into the tubular element.
 2. The machinehousing according to claim 1 wherein the bearing plate (3) is of springsteel.
 3. The machine housing according to claim 1 further comprising atleast one fastening element (12) integrally present on the bearing plate(3), the at least one fastening element securing the bearing (15) to thebearing plate (3).
 4. The machine housing according to claim 1 whereinthe bearing plate (3) has a sharp circumferential line (9) on its outerperipheral edge.
 5. The machine housing according to claim 1 wherein thebearing plate (3) has recesses (21) formed along its outer periphery(9).
 6. The machine housing according to claim 4 wherein the bearingplate (3) has recesses (21) formed along its outer periphery (9).
 7. Themachine housing according to claim 1 wherein the machine housing (1) isa pole housing of an electrical machine.